Les Pieds sur Terre

(“Feet on the Ground”) is the acclaimed natural wine domaine of Valentin Morel, based in the Jura region. A native of Poligny, Valentin took over his family’s vineyards in 2014 after studying international law and politics. Before leading the domaine, he gained hands-on experience working with natural wine pioneers such as Pierre Frick and Bruno Schueller in Alsace.

Valentin’s winemaking philosophy centers on pure terroir expression with minimal intervention, embodying the principles of natural wine:

• Organic and Biodynamic Farming: Valentin practices organic viticulture, with certification underway or recently achieved on many plots. Inspired by biodynamic teachings, he nurtures healthy, living soils and vines to produce vibrant grapes.

• Single-Vineyard Bottlings: Moving away from his father’s varietal-focused style, Valentin highlights the unique character of each vineyard parcel through dedicated single-vineyard wines.

• Minimal Cellar Intervention:

  • Fermentations are spontaneous, relying solely on indigenous yeasts.

  • Wines are unfined and unfiltered, preserving natural texture and complexity.

  • No sulfur is added at any stage, emphasizing natural purity.

• Aging: Wines mature in neutral vessels like old demi-muids and stainless steel, maintaining freshness and minerality without oak influence.

• “Ouillé” Whites: Many white wines (Chardonnay, Savagnin) are crafted in the traditional “ouillé” style—topped-up to avoid oxidation—resulting in fresh, pure, and precise expressions.

Valentin Morel manages about 6 hectares across five vineyard sites near Poligny, growing Jura’s classic grapes: Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard, Trousseau, and Pinot Noir. He is also experimenting with hybrid varieties to enhance disease resistance and innovate within Jura’s winemaking traditions.